On this day – a fishy problem!

Back in 1906 on this day (November 20) the flood-gates failed at Warnham Millpond (near Horsham)!

It was nine o’clock on what was a Sunday night, so pitch black, when the incident happed.

The result was somewhat disastrous as the lake completely emptied, leaving thousands of fish completely stranded!

Thankfully the person living at nearby Mill House discovered the problem at an early stage and swung into action immediately.

The result was that many fish were moved to ‘other waters’ (as the local newspaper reported) or placed in tanks.

With nothing but mud in sight, the paper remarked that “As it is, good fishing (by the kind permission of Mr C.J. Lucas JP) is spoilt for some time”.

The floodgates had been repaired some 30 years earlier in 1876.

When the incident was discussed at the next Horsham Urban Council meeting the chairman asked the Farm Manager if there had been much flow of water – the reply wasn’t definitely in the affirmative!

It was noted that the fish that had been rescued included bream weighing up to an impressive 14-16lb.